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A Jolly Bali Holiday

Ask this member a question. hipworldtraveler Looking for a tropical fantasy vacation...
Jul 9, 2007
3.5 of 5 stars based on 7 votes
It's a little temple-heavy, but you'll be sure to see the best views of Bali if you take our list with you!
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Uluwatu, Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Legian
  • Category: Best of
  • Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors, Beachgoers
  • Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: Bali, Indonesia, Tropical, Island, paradise, beach, temples, culture
1. Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple, Uluwatu, Bali
a temple on a cliff over the ocean--can also watch
the sunset and a Balinese dance.

Our driver warned us to be
careful of the monkies who live there. "They are
naughty. Sometimes they taking things from your
behind!" (Back pockets). Anyway, they were fast,
sneaky theives! Nothing was taken from us, although
they had stuff from other people. The tiny ones were
cute, but the rest were just scary. The driver said
the temple people don't feed the monkies on purpose so
they will steal stuff from tourists and the temple
people can charge money to get your stuff back for
you! Mean!

You have to wear a sarong and sash (which the
temple lends you) anytime you go to a temple. The
sunset was impressive, and then everyone gathered in
an outdoor small stadium to watch the Kacek/Fire
Dance.

The dance is an acapella chorus of 70 men sitting in a
circle in rows around a fire, chanting. Kind of a
"chuckachuckachachacha" kind of thing. They supposedly
go into a trance, but this one was more touristy than
genuine.

Then people costumed like Mummers come out to act out
a story. This one was of a prince and his family
banished to a forest. The devil wanted to steal his
beautiful wife, so sent a golden deer to lure him away
from her for hunting. Then he kidnapped the wife and
it was this hour long drama with a guy dressed as a
monkey sitting in the middle of a ring of hay on fire
and kicking it all into the audience.
2. Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
The monkey forest was one of our favorite things. Not
necessarily for the monkies, but for the beautiful
gardens, temples, trees and ponds. We saw a monkey
steal the film out of someone's camera and then try to
climb into someone's backpack. The people tried to get
it back for several minutes before the guide finally
shot him with a rubber band and he dropped the film
and ran away.

Make sure you take some time to shop in Ubud. Fantastic stores--not the outdoorsy touristy markety type.
3. Tegallantang Rice Terrace
Tegallantang Rice Terrace, Ubud, Bali
4. Lake Bratan
http://www.inm-asiaguides.com/Bali/ebalilake.htm
In the mountains of Central Bali is Lake Bratan, with water sports, beautiful views, restaurants, and a water temple.
5. Pura Taman Ayun
http://www.floressa-bali.com/indonesia-pictures/pages/bali_tamanayun_j...
Moated temple
6. Pura Tanah Lot
Pura Tanah Lot, Canggu, Bali
This is a temple which was really scenic on the ocean carved
out of volcanic rock. We goofed around taking pics so
long that the tide came in and we had to take off our
shoes and wade back. Avoid the obnoxious hawkers in the market. DO NOT follow exit signs--they don't really point you toward the parking lot but toward all the vendor stalls. Make sure you climb the hill to the left on your way out. You can see a "hole in the wall" natural thing in a cliff, and walk down tiny steps to some neat rock formations to watch the surfers.
7. Legian Beach
Legian Beach, Kuta, Bali
great for surfing, sunbathing, swimming.
8. Poppies Restaurant
http://www.poppiesbali.com/uk/uk-restaurant.html
A quiet restaurant oasis--in a pond courtyard with ivy covered trellises as a ceiling! Check out their bathroom. Also, order the Poppies Specialty Pina Colada and bring your camera. That's all I'm gonna say! Oh, and don't order the local tenderloin. Iti s not tender.
9. Jayakarta Hotel and Residence
Jayakarta Hotel & Residence, Legian, Bali
Ave price: $81
The hotels here are really cheap. The Jayakarta had a
beautiful traditional Balinese lobby that was open
air. The rooms open from the outside, not an indoor
hallway. The room itself was nothing special, but the
ameneties were! It was right on the beach. It has 3
pools--a lap pool with baby pool connected, a roundish
pool, and an infinity pool with fountains going in, a
swim up bar, and above it on a deck there are large
tiki huts on diases with sheer white curtains,
mattresses and wedge pillows. Heaven!

The free breakfast was unbelievable. One buffet was
all Indonesian, one was fruit and yogurt, one was
breads, and there was a made to order egg/omelette guy
and pancakes, bacon, etc. We were the only Americans
there, and it was a big hotel! 80% Australian, 10%
Japanese, 10% European, I'd guess. Anyway, a lot of
them ate vegimite.

You must try the spa. It is so cheap and there are coupons in the lobby. Get the massage/chocolate scrub/jacuzzi package and you HAVE to try the traditional facial. SUCH BLISS!
10. Flying Piano
http://www.theflyingpiano.com/services.htm
Go out the gates of the Jayakarta hotel, turn left, and there you are. Order the lasagna or the escalope and an Arrak Tattack.
11. Macaroni Restaurant and Internet Cafe
Live music, great food, fantastic atmosphere, free internet and computers. On the main street in Kuta, near Poppies Lane
12. A Friendly Driver for reasonable hire
Tony was recommended to us. His wife works in the hotel and he is a friendly, reliable, reasonable driver. In Indonesia, your driver is so much more than that: He is your tour guide, driver, photographer, travel agent. Tony pretty much picked all our restaurants and attractions for us and we were thrilled with all of it. He was also much cheaper than drivers offered from the hotel. Tell him Neil & Rebecca from America sent you!

Cell Phone: 081 338708623
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Uluwatu, Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, Legian  

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